Tuesday, December 8, 2015

Tis The Season!



 Well hello my lovelies. Hope you are all well. I wish to thank all of you SO much for the get well wishes last week. I am finally pretty much over it outside of a bit of congestion and tiredness but thankfully that horrible coughing is gone. Which means that now I need to get in GO mode! Hubby brought out all the Christmas décor boxes from the attic so I can work on that. I made those house ornaments above today and hope to get more done as I do like to slip a little something into some of the cards that go out. I had a note written along with a little drawing from some years ago about these colorful whimsical houses and decided to make some of my own. I only wish I knew where the original idea came from. The images are from ARTchix Studio and though they are no longer in business Stampington sells some of the products.

 I also got started on my cards that need to go overseas to France as they are priority right now. I do hope to get them mailed by the end of this week. Here are two:


 The stamps are from Magenta. The first one uses ink and the second one was done with colored pencils. Linking this to the Simon Monday challenge for the theme this week of "Holly Jolly Stamping". I am also linking to the Moo Mania challenge of using your favorite stamps or images. I have always loved Magenta stamps and have QUITE a collection of them! In addition they were the only stamp company that had French stamps at the time and I was honored to be able to take classes from Nathalie and Helene back in the day:) I am entering these cards in Magenta's December challenge (winter theme). Images used: leafy stamp- 14443E, Joyeux Noel- 07280H, and holly branch- 07280H.

 In my last post I shared photos from a special exhibit we attended at one of our local art museums titled "Colors Of India".  You can see those here.

 This is the second exhibit we saw while there. It is titled "Cocoon Awakenings" and the glass blown art is by Steve Tobin-a world renowned local artist:


Sorry if you can't read it-I had to get a shot of it on the wall and the sun was reflecting. Here are some photos of his work:




 These vessels were at least 6 ft. tall and were just spectacular to see in person!! Each one was encased by an iron "gate" if you will in order to protect the piece. It truly was like our local paper stated - like walking through a forest of glass and steel. The artist had done these quite awhile ago. These are his new pieces:



 
The photos just don't do justice to these gorgeous spheres dangling from the ceiling and casting the colors on the walls! Wow!

 In my next post I will share photos from the third exhibit we saw on the same day :) After that we decided to go for a late lunch. Of course we ended up back down town to our very favorite Irish restaurant:):)  I made sure to get a pic for my T Stands For Tuesday gang:


 My choice that day was a boxty filled with chicken breast strips, mushrooms, leeks and a bit of blue cheese. It was heavenly!! And with that I had a glass of sauvignon blanc which complemented the meal perfectly. Hubby had a burger (what a surprise) and a beer. I had always wanted to try one of their boxtys. And last Tuesday Halle mentioned a Norwegian crepe - like food called a Lefse (also made with potato) and I guess it was on my mind since. Thanks Halle:) I cannot wait to take my Mom to have one of these boxtys because I know she will LOVE it too.

 That's all I have for today. Lots of work to get done for the ever so near Christmas holiday! How about you? Do you shop early? Do you make gifts and/or cards? Do you bake? Or do you skip out, hop on a plane and head somewhere warm, just you and your significant other? Ok , that last ? was a dream of mine-someday...

 See you Friday for Paint Party Friday!

" May your walls know joy, may every room hold laughter, and every window open to great possibility."                      
                                                        Mary Anne Radmacher





39 comments:

  1. What a lovely post! The tags and cards you have made are lovely, glad you are feeling well again. The glass exhibition is wonderful, I love coloured glass objects, and have lots here at home. But the star of the show today was your meal - does that make me greedy? Have a great week and a happy T Day, hugs, Valerie

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  2. Happy to hear you are feel much better, Linda! Thank you for sharing that amazing exhibit. The spheres with reflections are just gorgeous--I'm planning to do some more searching of this artist on the web.

    All of your cards/tags are gorgeous. I must admit I haven't really started on decorating yet, but it is next up for sure.

    Happy T Day!

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  3. I was delighted that you are feeling better and quite impressed you have finally felt well enough to make a few cards. They are certainly lovely. Somehow I thought Magenta stamps had gone out of business, but I guess not. I remember how much I enjoyed their poinsettia stamps from many years ago (before I even started thinking about stamping).

    Those vessels are unbelievable. Looks like you REALLY got your money's worth out of that visit, and we haven't even seen the final room.

    I had no idea what a boxty was. but after looking it up on the internet, I see it's also a potato pancake, albeit Irish style. Had to laugh since you and Halle have potato pancakes on your mind. It certainly looks incredible, even with the chicken strips.

    Thanks for sharing your Christmas cards, the vessels, the glass spheres, the wine, and your boxty with us for T this Tuesday.

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  4. What lovely cards! "Spectacular" sounds like the perfect word to describe that exhibit. I'd love to see it in person, but your photos give me a nice feel for it; thx :) Your lunch out looks delicious!

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  5. So glad you are feeling better!!! The ornaments are so cute and I love the Christmas Cards. Yes time is slipping away from us and the Holiday with be here before we know it. Love the glass art!!! Truly amazing. Have a great week ♥

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  6. Oh I just love the tag houses!!
    Glad to hear your feeling better, I am too, but for the horrid hacking cough.
    Your Boxty sounds ever so inviting, interesting and straight out yummy! I do love Lefse too.....was raised on it.
    I did do my shopping early this year, I usually wait to feel the hustle and bustle, but glad I didn't with this sinus junk!
    Thanks for sharing....Happy T-day

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  7. Very festive and creative post ~ favorite are the houses ~ So glad you are feeling better ~

    Wishing you the love and magic of the season,
    artmusedog and carol

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  8. Adorable tags and cards Linda - and a like this super class exhibition!
    A wonderful meal Linda - looks superb! Happy T-Day! Glad to hear that you feel better!
    Take care !
    Thank you for joining us at Moo Mania & More!
    oxo
    Susi

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  9. I love your tags and cards! The exhibition looks really interesting - I love coloured glass! I must say though that your boxty sounds and looks delicious! Christmas decorations go up after my birthday at the weekend! Chrisx

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  10. Glad to know that you are feeling better now Linda.Your cards look gorgeous.
    Have a great week
    Hugs
    Susan

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  11. Those cards with the houses on them look great -- I especially love the one with the Santa face looking out the door. Charming! And your lunch looks fabulous. Great post -- thank you!

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  12. Pretty cute houses and cards! Those tall glass sculptures seemed like a forest of tied up skinny people...or maybe doing a form of standing meditation--LOL! I just had some lefse today as a matter of fact--with some butter and cinnamon and sugar. (Swedish ancestry coming out.) Happy T-Day! :)

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  13. awesome pretty Little houses and i would have LOVED to see this Exhibition. Looks very interesting!
    happy belated t-day and rest of the week!

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  14. A post full of fabulousness!! Your cards are beautiful, and I love the little houses. and I love glass too~ it is just magic! haven't heard of a boxty before but wow does it look good...happy belated T day, and glad you're feeling better!

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  15. You've made me feel hungry! Love those fabulous glass sculptures and your little houses are so sweet.

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  16. it does look like a nice meal

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  17. Thanks to joinning the Magenta challenge!

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  18. Thanks for your visit today, happy PPF, hugs, Valerie

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  19. Nice cards and tags. Thanks for sharing interesting exhibition photos.
    Happy PPF ♥

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  20. Such sweet tags to put into your cards! And the glass-oh MY. Stunning.
    Glad you are feeling better!

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  21. Your cards are lovely it must be a treat to receive. Sounds a lovely week happy holidays Linda.

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  22. Oh, these houses are delightful, what a lovely idea to include one with a card.
    The reflections from the glass are amazing, what an unusual exhibition, thanks for showing it to us.
    I usually make some hand-made cards or presents - this year it is presents ...... and maybe a few cards for special people.

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  23. Lovely post! Definitely the season - with visits and beautiful cards and art.

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  24. hello linda, i might be losing it but think that i left a comment ... i wanted to get back to you that the latest sommerset studio has the article about the technique. i am finding that it takes some practice. I would suggest making a stack of laser black and white copies to be ready to work on. Have fun!
    irene

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  25. I LOVE those house ornaments that you made. I purchased the TH artful dwellings and Little Openings die recently, so you've inspired me to use it to make some ornaments for my school's administrative team. I also love the photographs of the cocoon art exhibit that you visited. Happy PPF, my dear friend!

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  26. Love your post, Linda. Love the tags. Hope you have a peaceful weekend in the midst of all the chaos.

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  27. Love the house ornaments soooo much...fabulous!! Your photos and cards are wonderful too...I had a magenta living room for about 8 years before it went to gypsy pink!! I loved it!! I am such a coloured glass freak too...have many pieces... from round balls, to big display dishes and vases... all my friends would have loved that display!! Enjoy the spirit of the season...I see you have lots of it!

    Hugs Giggles

    Hugs Giggles

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  28. Art and food - that's all we need!
    Happy weekend!

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  29. Those house ornaments are great. What a great use for scraps and I have a drawer full of scraps. The glass exhibit was fantastic. Glad you are feeling better,

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  30. Such lovely holiday tags and cards you've made. I pretty much skipped making Christmas cards this year .. moving to another country took all that energy..well there is always next year. That glassart exhibition looks wonderful I had to click images bigger to take a good look. Lovely light reflections. Great that you are feeling better and creative.

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  31. Hi Linda, Speaking of getting alot done this week! I really enjoyed your wonderful tags and two cards. The glass exhibit is wonderful, too. Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas. Thank you for stopping by from PPF link.

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  32. A great post with such lovely cards and tags. I'm happy you're feeling better, keep well and warm, enjoying this happy season with good food and cheer! I usually start my shopping in November, mostly online, I'm not one for the shops and I like to make a few hand made cards too for close ones.

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  33. OK, have to laugh as the name Steve Tobin jumped out at me and it made me do a double take ( my ex has the same name but nowhere near the talent, lol) I will finally get my cards out on Tuesday, going to pick them up on Monday from the printers!

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  34. Lovely to read about so many happenings! The cards are delightful. The glass exhibits are stunning. I can't say much about the food being a vegetarian but it sure looks yummy. Thanks for visiting my blog. Enjoy your busy time decorating, shopping and celebrating the coming holiday season.

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  35. Fabulous tags and cards and thank you for sharing and for playing along with us over on the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog... :)

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  36. Love your cards, tags and everything else, my friend. Your food looks fabulous.Happy belated t-day:)

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  37. So glad you back up on your feet-and it looks like you are having a wonderful pre-holiday time! Your cards are very wonderful- too bad to hear Art-chix are now out of business. Thanks for stopping by my blog and have a wonderful week!

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  38. Wonderful Christmas art and the glass of India WOW thank you for sharing it.

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  39. Pretty cards! Wonderful colouring techniques. Thanks for joining in the Magenta monthly challenge. :)

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Thank you so much for your comments; it's a pleasure to connect with you!